News Releases 2013

LETU Welcomes New Trustees, Re-elects Officers

Wed, Nov 13 2013

LeTourneau University has named three new trustees Bill Anderson, David O. Dykes and Paul Montgomery and a new alumni representative Doug Roszhart to serve on the board of trustees. The trustees are elected for four-year terms. The alumni representative will serve a two-year term.

Bill Anderson of Colorado Springs, Colo. is an executive mentor and leadership consultant to CEO’s coast to coast and internationally. He is the former president and CEO of Christian Booksellers Association, which he served for more than two decades. Anderson is returning to the LETU Board of Trustees after his previous term from 2007 to 2011. He is a 1971 LeTourneau alumnus who graduated cum laude with degrees in Bible and Missionary Technology. He has served on the boards of entities including industry, ministry, education, business, and leadership organizations. He and his wife, Nan, met at LeTourneau, where they have established and funded the Service-of-Leadership Endowed Scholarship to help prepare students to be leaders in business and management.

David O. Dykes of Tyler, Texas, is pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church, one of the leading churches in America in missions and evangelism. With a membership of 16,000, Green Acres sends over 1,000 volunteer missionaries worldwide annually and has been a top church among Southern Baptists for nearly two decades. Dykes is the author of 14 books including Handling Life’s Disappointments, Do Angels Really Exist, The Spiritual Powerbook, and Hope When You Need it Most. He recently published his first Christian novel, The Cloudstrike Prophecy, under his penname, David Orlo. He has led mission teams to more than 30 foreign countries. Each year, he devotes a month to training pastors in Asia and Africa on principles of biblical leadership. He leads educational tours to Israel and has visited the Holy Land over 25 times.

Paul Montgomery of Spring City, Penn., is a financial market analyst who previously served on the LETU Board of Trustees, where he led the management of the university’s endowment. A businessman and entrepreneur, Paul has built and sold several businesses and currently is director of portfolio research at Scotia Partners, LLC, an investment advisory firm which he owns with his son. He and his wife, Carolyn, have been married over 40 years and live on a small farm with four generations of family. They are active in their church and are renovating their 18th century farmhouse.

LETU’s new alumni representative to the Board of Trustees is 1981 alumnus Doug Roszhart, who graduated with an associate degree in design technology, and then completed a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Immediately after graduating in 1984, Roszhart began employment with what is today L-3 Communications, Mission Integration Division, in Greenville, Texas, where he is currently a Senior Engineering Specialist. Throughout his years at L-3, Doug has recruited numerous LeTourneau students to work at the defense contractor. An Eagle Scout, Roszhart has served on his local city council and as a trustee for Greenville Christian School. He has served on his church deacon board for over 25 years. He and his wife, Carol, met at LETU. Their son, Nathaniel, graduated in 2008 with a degree in professional flight. Their daughter-in-law, Bethany, graduated in 2009 with a psychology degree. Roszhart has served on the Alumni Advisory Council since 2010, and is the current chairman.

OFFICERS RE-ELECTED

Pat Bertsche of St.Charles, Ill., is the president of Matrix Design, L.L.C. He has been re-elected chair for 2013-2014. He earned his industrial management degree from LETU in 1989 and has been involved with financial management, strategic planning and business operations. He has most recently served as the superintendent of the Westminster Christian School where he formerly served as board president. Prior to his work with Westminster, he served as vice president of operations at Camcraft, Inc.

Larry Mercer of Cedar Hill, Texas, was re-elected vice chair. Mercer has served on the LETU board since 2000. His work experience has included interaction with the public school system, adult prison system, local church ministry, juvenile justice system and Christian higher education. Prior to his current position, he was the president of Washington Bible College/Capitol Bible Seminary and senior vice president for media and church ministries at Moody Bible Institute. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from East Carolina University and a master of theology in pastoral ministries and doctor of ministry in education from Dallas Theological Seminary. He speaks at churches and Christian conferences around the country and has authored one book on Christian parenting.

Paul Abbott of Jenks, Okla., was re-elected secretary. Abbott is chairman, president and owner of Covington Aircraft Engines. He graduated from LETU in aviation technology with a certification in Airframe Powerplant License and Private Pilot License. He is a leader in his community, serving on different boards, including a bank, an economic development board, a hospital, a safety program for pilots, and a retirement community. LETU’s Abbott Aviation Center is named in his honor.

Merle Stoltzfus of Elverson, Penn., was re-elected treasurer. He is a general partner for Stoltzfus Enterprises, Ltd., a custom home builder and real estate developer. Stoltzfus has served in revitalization efforts and transportation advisory committees in his hometown area. He graduated from LETU in 1971 with a degree in electrical engineering technology and has served on the LETU board since 1997, serving previously as chair and as treasurer. One of his daughters is a 2008 graduate and another is currently enrolled at LETU.